Americana Folk Festival

Hagood Mill Historic Site is excited to announce this month’s event, the Americana Folk Festival, highlighting the singer-songwriter. This music-filled day will include entertainment by Barrett Davis, Derrick Phillips, Jenn Lewis and Parker Ford.

Davis is a son of American Roots Music. His recent 2022 release The Ballad of Aesop Finn is a kaleidoscope of traditional sounds that traverse the musical lineage of the mountains in old-time, early country, folk and bluegrass. With assistance from the likes of Grammy-Winning Steep Canyon Rangers front man Woody Platt, who harmonizes on the track “Quiver,” as well as traditional instrumentation from celebrated string band Pretty Little Goat, the record punctuates both the cyclical and permeating presence of musical tradition in North Carolina, while expounding on its modern evolution. You will not want to miss this singer-songwriter on the historic stage.

Phillips is a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller and multi-instrumentalist from Easley. He has been written up as "One of the upcountry's most dynamic folksingers." During his years as a substitute teacher, he often turned off the lights and told ghost stories at the end of the class (as a reward for good behavior and completing assignments), making him known to the students as "Mr. Scary". After 11 years teaching elementary school music in Beaufort, he worked as an artist-in-residence in many schools throughout the Carolinas, and for over 40 years, has given concerts at many clubs, coffeehouses, auditoriums, schools, churches, bars, festivals and whenever the vibes are just right for it, busking for tips on street corners (almost getting arrested for it once). Phillips is now the music instructor at Clemson Montessori School and Clemson Creative Academy. He has appeared on NPR and ETV at various times, and his most recent CD release is Knife Winds of the City (a concept album about the pros and cons of being an independent performing musician).

Lewis and Ford will also be performing.

The grist mill will be running to produce fresh stone ground grains that can be bought on the spot. There will also be living history volunteers around the site that will demonstrate traditional arts and crafts. Feel free to stop and speak to them while on site. Finally, don’t forget to check out the artisan vendors and food trucks.

The cost for those 10 and older will be $5 per person. Children 9 and under will be admitted for free. Admission to the Hagood Mill Historic Site includes the Heritage Pavilion and the Hagood Creek Petroglyph Center. Visitors are encouraged to bring their own chairs.

The Hagood Mill Historic Site is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m.-4 p.m., year-round. The mill operates, rain or shine, the third Saturday of every month.